Kansai Enkō 45 (関西 エンコー 45) is a line of high‑quality, water‑based drawing inks produced by the Kansai Ink Co., Ltd., a well‑established Japanese manufacturer that has been supplying artists, designers, and calligraphers since the early 20th century. The “45” in the name refers to the product’s (45 cP at 25 °C) and also to the original year of launch in the Japanese imperial calendar (Shōwa 45, i.e., 1970). Over the past five decades the ink has become a cult favourite among illustrators who demand a balance of flow, saturation, and archival stability.
| Brand / Series | Base | Viscosity (cP) | Lightfastness (ASTM) | Typical Use | Price (USD, 12 ml) | |----------------|------|----------------|----------------------|------------|--------------------| | (regular) | Water + glycerol | 45 | 5–6 | General illustration, manga | $12‑$14 | | Kansai Enkō 45 + | Water + glycerol + pigment (C.I. pigments) | 55 | 7–8 | Archival art, museum pieces | $16‑$20 | | Sakura Pigma Ink | Water + dye | 30 | 3–4 | Graphic design, quick sketches | $8‑$10 | | Pilot Iroshizuku | Water + dye (high saturation) | 38 | 4–5 | Luxury pen‑and‑ink work | $15‑$18 | | Winsor & Newton Drawing Ink | Water + glycerol | 48 | 6–7 | Fine art & illustration | $13‑$16 | kansai enkou 45